An Abbreviated Thursday.

We're Off To Tape An Apppearance ...... on PCN'sJournalists Roundtable show, and are thus a little pressed for time. So, we're keeping things short and sweet this morning.The rest of today's news starts after the jump.

30-Second U.S. Senate Update:Our Rick is in Harrisburg this afternoon to re-re-affirm his support for the gentler sex. He's at the Harrisburg Hilton at 4 p.m. to launch his Women for Rick coalition (which we're pretty sure he's done already). Guests include ex-New York Congresswoman Susan Molinari, Republican activist Bernadette Comfort, RNCapparatchik Christine Toretti Olson and "other women leaders" -- some of whom might even work outside the home.This could get awkward.Meanwhile, the kids at Kamp Casey are firing back at a new Santorum advertisement depicting Casey's "campaign team," as a bunch of shady characters with legal problems, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports this morning.The new ad, which uses actors and doesn't mention any names, but according to Team Santorum, they include state Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia; Philly lawyer Ronald White (who's, y'know, dead.), New Jersey developer Charles Kushner and veteran fund-raiser Robert Feldman.To recap: Fumo's the subject of a federal investigation; White faced federal conspiracy and extortion charges; Kushner pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2005 and was released from a halfway house last month. None of the three (especially White, who is, y'know, dead) have taken a formal role in the Casey organization or given money, the Inky reported.Casey spokesguy Larry Smar called the ad, "a ridiculous and
desperate attempt at character assassination."One Cheesesteak Away ...Gov. Ed could stand to lose a few pounds, but is in otherwise decent shape for a 62-year-old. Or, at least that's the conclusion of a registered dietitian who reviewed the results of the Guv's most recent physical for us.
The report shows Rendell takes the prescription medications Zocor and Nexium to treat high cholesterol and acid reflux. Rendell, who is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighed in at 257 pounds. An
ideal weight would be 172 to 190 pounds, said Tina Amato, a dietitian
at the Allentown Health Bureau who is also a member of Rendell's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports. Rendell said he exercises about a half hour each day. Ideally, the Guv' should be exercising about an hour a day to lose weigh, Amato told us.Lynn Swann said Wednesday that he'll release his records, but didn't say when that would happen.Speaking Of Lynn Swann ...... the Republican candidate was in Harrisburg on Wednesday, where he kept up his criticism of Gov. Ed's welfare reform record. But when he was pressed for specifics on what he'd do differently or how he'd contain costs at the state Department of Welfare, the former football star repeatedly said only that he'd look for "efficiencies" within the sprawling agency.Oh. How helpful.Helping You Plan Your Weekend:A recurring Capitol Ideas feature in which we let you, the reader, know about ways to while away the days you should be spending with your family or getting things done around the house. Seems the Swann campaign is looking for volunteers this Friday evening and Saturday morning to help put together lawn signs. Those interested should contact Jonathan Lutz at the campaign's Harrisburg office. Please try not to get any paper cuts. They don't have much money and can't afford the medical bills.In The Blogosphere:Keystone Politics on Santorum pulling out all the stops; Above Average Jane updates on some suburban Philly state House races; GrassrootsPA has a smorgasbord of links on Green Party candidate Carl Romanelli; A Smoke-Filled Room has some Wednesday highlights; Gort watched the new Santorum ad, and even helpfully provides some video; Dave Ralis has some thoughts on slots; Pennsyltucky Politics on the new Santorum ad; PSoTD takes some liberties with Chris Buckley; Tom Ferrick on Santorum's residency; PennPatriot offers some tips on recognizing RINOs (we always look for the horns); Tony Phyrillas articulates his disappointment in Gov. Ed's tenure; The Thin Man on a lesson we don't want to repeat; Arianna Huffington gets her own theme song; Daily Kos interviews a combat vet; Andrew Sullivan on Christianity and Mammon; Red State holds a GOP presidential straw poll; Captain's Quarters on Arabs who view Lebanon as a loss; DCist on the DC triathlon, and Wonkette has your daily dose of Beltway rumor and gossip.

On The Capitol Ideas iPod This Morning:Once upon a time, in a land called Los Angeles, there was a band called The Dream Syndicate, who blended the white noise of the Velvet Underground with a the rock of Neil Young, and the result was good. Led by guitarist/songwriter Steve Wynn, the band recorded one immortal record (1982's The Days of Wine and Roses), one very good one (the follow-up Medicine Show), and the best live record since The Who's, Live at Leeds.We have that document, a remastered version 1988's Live at Raji's, blasting through the Capitol Ideas home stereo right now. It's exactly the sort of thing to shake off the gloom of a rainy Thursday. Start with "See That My Grave is Kept Clean," and keep it on play through "Tell Me When It's Over." It'll shake the enamel clean off your teeth.

Thursday's Gratuitous Soccer Link:Manchester Unitedslipped past Scottish club Celtic in the opening round of UEFA Champions League play last night. The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 at home at Old Trafford before a crowd of 74,031. United striker Louis Saha contributed a pair of goals, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rounded out the scoring for the Red Devils.